FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER.

"TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE.”

PHILADELPHIA, TWELFTH MONTH 13, 1884.

Entered at the Post-Office at Philadelphia, Penna, as second-class Notices.............................................................................. 704

and the purity and honesty of legal adminisRead at a Conference held at Race Street Meeting-tration, and this is a work scarcely less im

enough in our own state to illustrate the new | Hence their reason for the non-observance of order of things introduced by him.

In 12th month, 1682, the first General Assembly was convened by Wm. Penn at Chester, to which body was submitted the code of laws previously prepared in England and which as modified and agreed upon gave shape to the jurisprudence of Pennsylvania. The first section of this code is especially appropriate to the subject of liberty of conscience as upheld in our discipline and may be profitably quoted:

fasts, and particular days and times. In his preface to the code of laws before mentioned Wm. Penn gives his views as to the relation which ought to exist between religious and civil government, which, being exceedingly pertinent, it will be proper to here introduce. After quoting several parts of Scripture bearing on "the subject of government, he proceeds:

"This settles the divine right of government beyond exception, and that for two Almighty God, being only Lord of Con- ends: first, to terrify evil-doers; secondly, science, Father of lights and spirits, and the to cherish those that do well; which gives author as well as object of all Divine knowl- government a life beyond corruption, makes edge, faith, and worship; who only can en-it as durable in the world as good men shall lighten the mind, and persuade and convince be. So that government seems to me a part the understanding of people, in due reverence of religion itself; a thing sacred in its instito his sovereignty over the souls of mankind. tution and end. For, if it does not directly It is enacted by the authority aforesaid, that remove the cause, it crushes the effect of evil, no person now or at any time hereafter living and is, as such, a lower, yet an emanation of in this province, who shall confess and ac- the same divine power that is both author knowledge one Almighty God to be the Crea- and object of pure religion; the difference tor, upholder, and ruler of the world, and lying here, that the one is more free and that professeth him or herself obliged in con- mental, the other more corporeal and comscience to live peaceably and justly under the pulsive in its operation; but that is only to civil government, shall in any wise be molested evil-doers, government itself being otherwise or prejudiced for his or her conscientious per- as capable of kindness, goodness and charity suasion or practice; nor shall he or she at as a more private society." any time be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place, or ministry whatever, contrary to his or her mind, but shall freely and fully enjoy his or her Christian liberty in that respect, without any interruption or reflection; and if any person shall abuse or deride any other for his or her different persuasion and practice in matter of religion, such shall be looked upon as a disturber of the peace, and be punished accordingly."

This code provided for the distribution of the estates of intestates among the wife and all the children equally, in abrogation of the English law of primogeniture; reduced the number of crimes for which by the then brutal laws of England death was the penalty, from, as is said, near two hundred, to the single one of wilful murder, with other reforms, too numerous to mention in detail; in short, quoting the language of another, it was "humanity enacted into law."

It would be too much, perhaps, to claim for Wm. Penn entire originality in all these reforms, but it is safe to say that he and Friends of his day are entitled to the largest share of credit for the gradual evolution of higher ideas of civil government.

Friends have ever regarded religion as a thing to be carried into every day life, and made practical by observing its precepts in all our transactions with r fellow-men, and making it, in short, the rule of our lives.

These wise words of Wm. Penn are espe cially applicable as to the duties devolving upon the members of our Society in relation to civil government at this time. "Government," says he, "seems to me a part of religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and end." We have no more right to throw aside our religion in regard to the exercise of the political powers which we possess than we have to throw it aside altogether for six days in the week, squaring the account by great professions on the seventh. The ballot is a thing we may constantly use for good, and if we fail to do it we fail in a religious duty. The votes and influence of all Friends, guided by a sense of religious obligation, and free from the shackles of party, would be a powerful means of putting an end to the corruptions that so taint our political atmosphere.

Again, it has been one of the exceptional features of Friends' organization and practice, that they have placed men and women on a footing of entire equality, as to the ministry, and the holding and conduct of business meetings. The beneficial effects of this are acknowledged by all. In view of this, superadded to the reasonableness of the thing itself, ought not the men members of our Society to do whatever may seem to each one to be right toward the extension of the right of suffrage to women, that they too may have that additional power to be religiously

employed for the promotion of honest civil government, and the general good of all?

The topics of a political character that have been introduced may seem to some at first a little out of the legitimate channel, but whoever will carefully follow the argument must see that they are the logical sequence of the subject selected for consideration. Some explanation, however, I wish to make. The Society of Friends is a religious organization. It has various excellent testimonies to uphold, which are of a religious character only in the broad view which Friends take of that subject. It is obvious that to make a specialty of any one of them would be to neglect the others, and lay waste our character as a religious body. In slavery times there were those who thought, or seemed to think, that laying aside everything else Friends should devote themselves wholly to that. And at the present time I have sometimes thought there is a danger of our making too much a hobby our testimony as to the use of intoxicating beverages. And there are others who seem to regard the Peace question as all important, and to which all else should be subordinated. There is a happy medium that may be observed by which our distinctive character as a religious body may be maintained, and by which we may individually and collectively do our whole duty toward the promotion of the best welfare of the human family.

THOMAS H. SPEAKMAN.

"A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM."

The statutes of New York now require instruction in its public schools concerning alcohol and its effects upon the human body. In some schools this instruction is given effectively by teachers who have a real interest in the subject. That great good is thus being accomplished there is no room for doubt.

that Bessie had been so exercised about it, and had pleaded with them so earnestly, that they had decided to make the change and have no more liquors in the house. The father, an active New York business man, “a hail fellow well met," genial and popular among his companions and friends, had never before given the subject serious thought. Now, however, moved by his lovely little daughter's earnest pleadings, he had signed a temperance pledge and enrolled himself in the ranks of total abstainers. And she received her impulse from the faithful teacher in the public school.

This recent incident of real life will suffice to illustrate the great possibilities for usefulness in the introduction of scientific temperance teaching in all the public schools of the States which have not yet taken action in the premises. The friends of temperance in every such State should at once unite in vigorous and earnest efforts to secure from their respective legislatures enactments requiring scientific temperance instruction in all public and normal schools.-National Temperance Advocate.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

A CHEERING VOICE FROM THE SOUTH.

Our cities have generally instituted Boards of Health, and invested them with extraordinary, and in emergencies, with almost absolute powers, for preserving the health of their citizens. But in the application of hygienic principles, it was soon discovered that there was an inseparable relation and mutual dependence between town and country. Disease could readily be reciprocated, and hence it was thought advisable to constitute State Boards of Health to supervise the whole State. With this noble object in view, Kentucky has its State Sanitary Council, which held its third semi-annual (public) meeting on the 1st and 2d of last month. From their published proceedings I wish to make a few condensed quotations.

A well-to-do wife and mother, who presides over a beautiful home wherein are several Dr. McCormack thought that the homelovely children, said to a friend recently life of a people formed the best test of their "We have made a change in our household. advancement in civilization. He said the We have always been accustomed to have State Board of Health had made a sanitary wines and other liquors upon our sideboard, survey of Kentucky, inquiring on a large and we have not thought it wrong. Our lit-scale into the home-life and habits of the peotle Bessie, who attends the public school, ple, and the result was not flattering to their came home a while ago greatly interested, vanity. and said her teacher had been telling them about alcohol and how much suffering comes from using it, and how much better it is to let it alone." "And, mamma," she said, "I felt so ashamed when I thought that we have it here on our own sideboard, and that papa takes it at his dinner and sometimes gives it to his friends who call!" The lady added

After discussion, Dr. Rodman read an exhaustive paper on the "Physical, and other dangers of Alcoholic Beverages." After alluding to the other organisms, he said: "The brain suffers most severely and constantly. Step by step its functions are impeded, until one by one they are lost. sanity."

The climax is in

Dr. Sutphin then read a paper on Health | no power to remove the dram shops. This Regulations in Relation to Alcoholic Bever- may be true so far as the present is concerned, ages.' The use of those beverages deeply but that this power may be made a matter of affects the interests of sanitation. It is known the future, if so desired, can hardly admit of that 60,000 die every year in the United States doubt." from the effects of liquors, which must awaken in every virtuous mind the deepest desire for their suppression or permanent removal. One effect is, the susceptibility that they form to take epidemic diseases, and the horrible mortality they occasion.

In yellow fever at Memphis those who used those liquors were the earliest and most constant victims of the disease.

In Glasgow, 1832, while only 19 per cent. of temperate patients died of cholera, there was 91 per cent. of deaths among the intemperate.

In Montreal, the same year, out of 1,000 who died of that disease, only two were teetotallers.

At Albany it carried off 366, all but four of whom were of the drinking class.

In New York, of 204 cases, only six were temperate, all of whom recovered; while 122 of the remaining 198 died.

In England the annual death rate of the whole population is 23 per 1,000; while in the drunken class it goes up to 118 per 1,000. Though not altogether new, those sad statistics should be a solemn warning; should impress every user of the article, especially now, when the cholera is already half seas over, and ready to burst on our devoted shores in a few months.

They also justify and inspire Dr. Sutphin to develop his views still further. He says: "The Health Board is the especial guardian of the public health; and the effect of the use of these liquors by the people becomes a question most intimately concerning sanitary regulations. That this subject is deserving of the most careful attention of the Health Board cannot certainly be denied. But, while it may have been thus considered, the question is, whether this consideration has been at all times such as properly belongs to it? How many have been the special reports on this subject? And what action has been taken from time to time concerning it? What official words of warning against the use of intoxicating beverages have been uttered by Health Boards? What demands for their suppression?

We speak of filth as being the nidus for the propagation of disease; what may we not say of the dram shop, in the same direction? If the Board of Health orders the removal of the filth, for sanitary ends, why not insist also upon the removal of the saloon, for the same purpose?

It may be said that the Health Board has

As further evidence of "Manifest Destiny,' Dr. McCormack said: "We need to go further back. What we need to do is, to educate our people to that degree of intelligence in respect to these causes of disease so as to lead them instinctively to avoid them, as they will any other of the certain causes of destruction. To this end the best plan is to have the full facts taught in our public schools, as is done in Michigan and other Northern States.

While boys and girls are learning about the mountains of Asia, have them taught these other important facts, which will be of lifetime value to them, viz., that alcohol is a poison, and why. Not only this; I would have them taught how they can avoid typhoid fever, cholera and scarlet fever, and teach them how and why tobacco is injurious."

I have said that Health Officers are invested with extraordinary, almost absolute powers, as emergencies may require, over persons and property, over trade and commerce. Cases may, and no doubt do occur, where they would not hesitate to close a saloon, just as they do other marts of traffic and business.

But Dr. Sutphin does not stop at emergencies, he claims, and supports the claim with ample testimony, that the sale and use of alcoholic beverages, and the saloons where they are sold, is a standing and perpetual nuisance; that if not the greatest, it is one of the greatest obstacles to sanitation, and that, if not the greatest, it is one of the greatest sources of disease and premature death.

Hence the Doctor very properly raises the inquiry, Whether the Boards of Health have given attention to the subject, such attention as the importance of the case requires? None better than they, know the terrible extent of the evil; by what official action have they sought to abate it? Let them answer.

E. MICHENER. Toughkenamon, Eleventh mo. 29th, 1884.

THE blind and cowardly spirit of evil is forever telling you that evil things are pardonable, and you shall not die for them, and that good things are impossible, and you need not live for them. And if you believe these things, you will find some day, to your cost, that they are untrue. Therefore, I pray you with all earnestness to prove, and know within your hearts, that all things lovely and righteous are possible for those who believe in their possibility, and who determine that, for their part, they will make every day's work contribute to them.-John Ruskin.

EXTRACTS FROM REPLIES TO PLAINNESS
OF SPEECH."

changers would be found within the inner court and the Lord's sanctuary would be defiled. A strange and foreign seed would be divide us in Jacob and scatter us in Israel." planted in our Zion which in its growth must

Joseph Parrish says: "Speaking for many Friends who think with me I should say we come in the catalogue of censure, under the head of 'victims of a misplaced or morbid conscientiousness which deludes them (us) into placing their (our) necks and their (our) country under the feet of coarse anta

We have received a number of lengthy communications reviewing and answering the political articles which have appeared in this paper. It seems best to us considering our limited space and the contributions of a religious or society character which must be crowded out by the full insertion of such essays, to combine into one article the salient points of these, hoping that this much addi-gonists who know no such scruples who tional will not disturb those kindly interested friends of the Intelligencer who have feared lest we lose sight of the true purpose of the

paper.-EDS.

scoff at the conscientious persons who put them in command and who brutally use the power so bestowed.' These be strong words. Most curiously the specifications accompanying the charge cites the anti-slavery candidacy I. W. G. says: "The Society of Friends of Birney, in 1844, and the 'deplorable reis a religious and not a political organization. sults' brought about by the action of the few Its members are cemented into an organiza-morbid persons, many of them as I am intion not because of their views concerning the formed, Friends, who supported it. This (or various arrangements for the government of rather similar action taken in 1840) was the nations, but because of a mutual recognition grain of mustard seed which, then planted, of certain principles concerning the Divine grew during the seemingly hopeless years, government. Not because of their views as through the successive defeats of Van Buren, to the policies that should prevail in the in 1848, Hale, in 1852, and Fremont, in performance of the public business of the na- 1856, until it attained its maturity in the tion, but because of their convictions in re-establishment in power of the Republican ference to the immediate relation between man and his Creator, and in reference to the spiritual supremacy and unity which a practical recognition and exemplification of this relationship must involve. It is plain then that the purpose and use of this organization called the Society of Friends is to maintain and exemplify the verity and spirituality of the Divine government. And such being its end and purpose, its strength and even its very existence must depend on the measure in which it as an organization keeps its "eye single" to this. And it becomes plain at once that a practical recognition and exemplification of the verity and spirituality of the Divine government is the only test of fitness that it can require of its members.

party under its greatest leader Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, which led directly to emancipation and enfranchisement. It seems odd to ask support for a political party on the ground that it had been better had that party never been born.

"Conscientious Lunacy' is a contradiction in terms, we think, but if applicable at all it is to such men as Luther with his 'Here stand I-I can no other-God help me;" to the founder of the very sect to which we belong and (reverently speaking) to Him who walked the streets of Jerusalem nearly nineteen hundred years ago preaching to unheeding ears the doctrine, as Friends believe, of the inner light. We are Friends, but we are also men and American citizens. A true "But we have forced upon our attention as Friend can never surrender his best judg members of the aforesaid religious organiza- ment to any man or any body of men on a tion that it is our duty to support this or that question of moral obligation be it social, political party, but there may be some of religious or political. May the day be far our members with such peculiar ideas in re- off when we consolidate our sectarianism with gard to their relation to free institutions that our politics; when men can speak of the they would indignantly deny that they Quaker vote as they do of the German vote, 'naturally belong to any party; who would the Irish vote, the Brewers' vote, etc., going spurn the imputation of partizan servility'solid,' as the phrase is, for any party. Let and stoutly maintain that they belong just where their conscientious judgment leads them.

"The greatest bond of our union, the unity of the spirit, would soon become obscured and scattered by the whirlwind of party argumentation and strife. The tables of the money

each man of us take counsel with his highest self and in political, as in other matters, follow no high road, circuitous,' or otherwise, save that which is shown him by the light within which unless the teaching of Friends is but a delusion and a snare will lead 'safely to the desired end."